The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

REMEMBRANCE LOG

DURING VACATION WE PICK UP A LOG FOR THE FIREPLACE BACK HOME. ON
NEW YEAR'S EVE THE LOG IS BURNED AND ALL THE GOOD THINGS THAT
HAPPENED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR ARE RECALLED.

Submitter comment:

INFORMANT'S FAMILY STARTED THIS CUSTOM.

James Callow comment:

BOGGS NUMBERS FOR SUMMER HERE HAVE BEEN ADDED ON THE
ASSUMPTION THAT THE INFORMANT'S FAMILY'S VACATIONS
OCCUR IN THE SUMMER

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MONROE

Date learned: 10-07-1972

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TRADITION

ONE OF THE BIGGEST TRADITIONS IS WHEN THE SENIORS RECOGNIZE THE
FRESHMEN AT THE END OF THEIR FRESHMEN YEAR. AFTER GOING THROUGH A
YEAR OF HELL WITH THE SENIORS (AND JUNIORS AND SOPHOMORES TOO) THEY
ARE READY TO BE RECOGNIZED. THE CEREMONY INVOLVES GOING TO THE
BEACH, WHERE THE FRESHMEN LINE UP ACROSS FROM THE SENIORS. ONE BY
ONE THE FRESHMEN STEP FORWARD AND CALL OUT TO A SENIOR (USUALLY THE
ONE THAT HAS BEEN THEIR BIG BROTHER THE PAST YEAR). AFTER EVERYONE
IS PAIRED OFF, A HUGE BRAWL TAKES PLACE. NOW THE PLEBES ARE TRUE
MEMBERS OF THE CITIDEL TRADITION.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT IS A FRESHMAN AT THIS COLLEGE AND IS LOOKING FORWARD TO
THIS CEREMONY.

Where learned: SOUTH CAROLINA ; CHARLESTON

Date learned: 10-00-1976

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SEASONAL CUSTOM -- SUMMER

ON THE FEAST OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST, WHICH IS ON THE FIRST DAY OF
SUMMER, SINGLE GIRLS IN POLAND MAKE WREATHES OF THE FIRST SUMMER
FLOWERS AND THROW THEM ON THE LAKE OR POND. IF THE WREATHES FLOAT,
SHE WILL BE MARRIED THAT YEAR, IF IT SINKS, SHE WILL NOT.

Data entry tech comment: FEAST OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST: JUNE 24

Where learned: NEW YORK ; NIAGARA FALLS

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